Upon returning to Chile, we spoke to national ministry partners. We were encouraged by the groups that continued and grew but we also discovered some new challenges to implementing the Discovery Bible Study (DBS) among the Mapuche. For this reason, we are asking for your prayers for wisdom to form a strategy to overcome these obstacles
As with every culture, the DBS must be adjusted to the nuances of the Mapuche culture. We are finding a common thread of distrust which runs through many Mapuche communities. We learned from Nedi, a Mapuche co-worker, that distrust is taught at an early age. Nedi told us stories of his childhood where his mother warned them not to associate with non-related neighbors because they were witches and not to be trusted. Whether this story is an isolated event or not, we are finding that most Mapuches do not have a very large social network outside of their family. Another factor that creates isolation and promotes distrust is their constant judging of others. We are always amazed as we learn about a community, how this person has a grudge against that person, this family against that family and many times there are huge conflicts within the family (relatives) relationships. Now the good news is that the Gospel reconciles relationships but the challenge is, how do we start?
In the Mapuche communities where we have started DBSes, we have found the meeting place to be a constant problem. Because of the distrust and grudges mentioned previously, many persons interested in the DBS will not enter the house of another. We also have the flip side, where not all are welcomed into the house. For a strategy that focuses on the rapid multiplication of groups and not the construction of building, the house issue is very important.
The second issue which is impeded by the mistrust and grudges is the commitment to share with others. In some cultures there is a self-motivation to share with others what you have learned. Unfortunately, this desire does not exist among the Mapuche. In fact, the sharing component is very uncomfortable and there is little to no motivation to do so, especially when you don’t trust your neighbors. A typical Mapuche family is very self-foused the concept of sharing with others is a foreign idea.
These are just a few of the common challenges that we are finding among the Mapuche culture. Please pray that we would have divine wisdom and intercession from God in overcoming these issues.
Thanks for your prayers,
Chad and Ruthanne Lynch
